Walkies in the Winelands with PURINA and SPCA

The popular SPCA PURINA “Woefie-Wandel” is going rustic and this year will take place at Nitída Cellars in the Durbanville Wine Valley on Sunday, 18 March 2012 at 9am.

The country dog walk, organised by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and leading pet food company PURINA, will take walkers and their dogs on scenic routes through picturesque working vineyards, located just a few kilometers outside of Cape Town.

Walkers can choose either the family-friendly 2km meander through low lying vineyards or the longer 4km route, ideal for fitter walkers and dogs, which will be treated to breathtaking views of Table Mountain and Robben Island.

Afterwards, walkers and their dogs can relax and picnic under umbrellas on the banks of the estate’s dam.

PURINA’s Audrey Birkenstock comments, “At PURINA we have a passion for pets and we strive each day to making a tangible difference to their lives. This being said, whilst we are committed to discovering new ways to help pets lead healthier, happier, longer lives, this extends beyond just what we feed our animals and reaches into the realm of how we interact with them and spend quality time with them. The SPCA PURINA Woefie-Wandel is a great way to do this while also helping the SPCA protect and care for less-fortunate animals.”

Co-sponsors Pick n Pay is also excited about the event moving to the Durbanville Wine Valley. “The Woefie-Wandel is great fun and this year it will be extra special to walk through the winelands in support of the SPCA”, said Pick n Pay Western Cape Marketing Manager, Mark Jennings.

Ferdinand Rabie of Big Brother fame will interact with participants and draw winners of hampers and gift vouchers donated by PURINA and Pick n Pay. Guests can shop at the SPCA’s Vetshop stand and visit the PURINA stand where they will receive a free gift and there will also be kid’s entertainment.

The estate’s Cassia restaurant will have a variety of delicious food and beverages on sale before and after the walk as well as delicious picnic baskets, which must be pre-ordered by emailing info@cassiarestaurant.co.za.

Being an off-road country walk, the SPCA encourages all entrants to wear proper walking shoes suitable for walking on dirt roads. “We also want to caution owners of short-nose breeds (i.e. bulldogs and pugs) and those with older dogs with joint problems, to consult their veterinarian before committing to take part in the walk. Puppies under four months are not permitted to take part and owners of large breed dogs 18 months or younger, should consider walking a shorter distance, as extended walking can put undue pressure on delicate skeletal structures and muscles and can impact their growth plates and affect joint development”, said CoGH SPCA Events Coordinator, Juan August.

Water points will be available along the routes and SPCA Inspectors and Animal Welfare Assistants will be on hand to ensure human and canine walkers are kept safe along the routes.

Entry forms are available at selected Pick n Pay stores in the Northern suburbs, local veterinarians, from the SPCA in Grassy Park and SPCA Vet Shop in Plumstead (see website for further details).

Entrants who pre-register by email, fax, post or online at www.spca-ct.co.za will qualify for a discounted entry free of R35 per person and R25 per dog and no cost for children in prams. Registration on the day of the event will open at 07h00 at a cost of R40 per person an R30 per dog (with children in prams free).

For more information on the routes, venue and registration details, visit www.spca-ct.co.za or contact the CoGH SPCA on 021 700 4141/80.